Lakers reportedly interested in bringing back Dwight Howard

In the wake of DeMarcus Cousins’ torn ACL that will likely end his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers before it ever begins, L.A. is down to one true center: JaVale McGee.

Searching for some extra depth down low, the Lakers may turn to a familiar, if infamous face.

According to a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are expected to request permission to talk to Dwight Howard, who is currently on the Memphis Grizzlies but is expected to be released. Howard had hinted last month that he would be open to returning to Los Angeles, despite the poor way his first stint ended.

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Howard spent a single season with the Lakers in in 2012-13 after a blockbuster trade from Orlando that involved four teams, 12 players and four draft picks. He saw a notable downtick in scoring and rebounding, and the Lakers only went 45-37. Howard left in the offseason to sign with the Houston Rockets.

Howard played well in three years with the Rockets, but he hasn’t found a home since. He’s spent each of the three last years on different teams — unceremoniously dumped each time in a trade.

The Lakers are reportedly interested in bringing back Dwight Howard. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

By now, Howard knows he is no longer the league’s most dominant center, and furthermore, the league has moved away from big men being the focal point of teams’ offenses. In an interview last month with Charania, he said he doesn’t “have an ego” and wants to help a team win however he can.

“I want to be whatever a team needs me to be,” Howard said. “I’ve played in every situation so far. I used to really hate how Draymond (Green) plays, but what I noticed watching him during these playoffs was that he does everything for the team.

“He’s everywhere. He’ll get a tech, he’ll take a charge, he’ll be everywhere on defense. He’s talking. He does everything. It doesn’t show up in the stat sheet, but it shows up in the mind of everyone watching. I want to be that person.”

It’s easy to clown Howard, but he can still be a useful player, especially in a complementary role. Last season — when he only played nine games due to various injuries — was the first time in his career he didn’t average a double-double, and he still posted 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on 62.3 percent shooting.

Since Anthony Davis indicated that he doesn’t want to play center, the Lakers will need somebody to provide depth down low. That could also come in the form of veteran Joakim Noah, but the Lakers’ roster has another move or two to make.